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I was 8 years old when I heard the news. I was playing in my bedroom with some of my toys. I heard the emergency broadcast network come on the air through the television in the next room with its familiar high pitched tone indicating either a test or an emergency announcement was about to begin. That's the moment I heard it, "This is an announcement by the emergency broadcasting network. Elvis Aaron Presley, at the age of 42, has been found dead at his home in Memphis Tennessee. Stay tuned for more information". I was stunned. At the age of 8... I hadn't had anyone close in my family die yet... this was the closest I had came.
My mother, a huge fan of Elvis's, was beside herself. She started to cry. My father comforted her and told her it was just a mistake. But... we were soon to find out that Elvis had indeed passed away. For weeks the television was full of specials and news reports on Elvis. The news papers were running special editions on him. The radios were constantly playing his music. I cant explain in words what a loss this was, not only to my mother, but to myself. You see, I was raised like Elvis. I live in Tennessee and we had very very very little as far as material things were concerned. But here was a man that started off the same way and accomplished so much. He was and is the American dream. Most kids have heroes as children.... Batman, Superman, etc. etc. Mine was Elvis Presley.
No matter what they say about you Elvis.... you're still the king and you're still loved and adored by more people than you could possibly imagine.
I often ask myself if I could ask Elvis one question and one question only... what would that question be. Well... there is one that comes to mind. I would simply ask him "why".
Elvis... I salute you. The entertainer of the century. May you rest in peace.
-Kenny Toomey
